Ballot position 4. Candidate for one of three at-large seats(every Laguna Beach voter may vote for these seats; they are not assigned to geographic districts) in the November 3, 2026 election.
Incumbent Councilmember and current mayor with a development and arts background; his campaign emphasizes wildfire preparedness, water reliability and long-range stewardship.
These are public endorsements of candidates, not endorsements by So Laguna.
Last reviewed October 19, 2026. Official ballot position follows the City Clerk’s August 13, 2026 candidate list, published after the Secretary of State randomized alphabet drawing.
Voting record99.4% with majorityOf 173 individually recorded positionsView record
Public disclosureForm 700 on fileEconomic-interest filingView summary
Career background
Creative entrepreneur, builder and community leader; Laguna Beach City Councilmember since 2022 and mayor in 2026. His campaign cites work involving wildfire preparedness, water…
The City currently lists nine forums hosted by independent community organizations. The hosts have affirmed that candidates were offered equal time and opportunity to appear. A listing does not establish that every candidate has confirmed attendance.
All currently listed forums have concluded. Past forum records remain available below.
Past forums9 completed
Map
Past forumOfficial organizer flyerVideo, answers and transcript · 2:15:58Searchable transcriptCandidate timestamps
Completed October 15. Watch the 2:15:58 recording, explore 16 discussion topics and 80 indexed responses, and search the captions. Seven candidates participated; Sue Kempf and Mark Orgill were absent due to reported illness. The moderator read Orgill’s submitted statement.
Completed October 6 at the Community Recreation Center. Watch the recording, compare 12 questions and eight candidates’ answers, and search the archived captions. Edward Bayuk was absent; the moderator read his submitted closing statement.
Completed September 28 at Bridge Hall. The Conservancy released the full panel and a separate closing-statements edit on October 1. Compare all nine candidates’ indexed environmental answers and statements with timestamp links, and search both locally archived automatic-caption transcripts. Caption gaps are identified explicitly.
Completed September 26. Watch the Arts Alliance’s full recording, compare all nine candidates’ answers to nine arts discussion questions and their opening and closing statements, and search the locally archived automatic-caption transcript. Tom Johnson moderated; LBArtsAlliance published the recording.
Completed September 23 at Council Chambers. Both parts of the recording are embedded below, with searchable local copies of automatic captions and selected, timestamped candidate answer summaries. All nine City Council candidates spoke. GLBGOP hosted; NimbleGov PAC uploaded the videos.
Completed September 15. Watch the full recording, compare six timestamped topic summaries for each of the eight participating candidates, search the locally archived transcript and review Advocates for Laguna Residents’ current campaign-finance filing. Sue Kempf did not participate.
The KXFM forum was held September 8 as a joint City Council and School Board candidate program. KXFM later published a 10-question yes-or-no summary for eight participating City Council candidates and a short Facebook reel. So Laguna has not verified a complete replay of the full program.
KXFM has published a 10-question candidate-results summary and an official Facebook reel from the September 8 forum. So Laguna has not verified a complete audio or video replay of the full program.
Map
Past forumFull videoSearchable transcriptCandidate timestamps
Five concise, neutral summaries link to the exact moments in the full recording. They are not ratings, endorsements or a substitute for watching each answer in context.
Downtown plan and historic preservationSupported a publicly reviewed update, including broader housing eligibility in the Arts District, while preserving valued buildings and improving historic policy.
Tourism stewardship metricsCited land acquisition and preserved artist spaces as an early result, while saying he did not yet have data measuring the effects of visitor education on trash.
Wildfire and evacuationDescribed fire mitigation as the City’s highest priority and emphasized continued investment, technology and coordination with public-safety departments.
Church affordable-housing proposalSupported the contribution as both affordable-housing support and a way to reduce the project’s local impacts.
Tourism managementPointed to funding redirected toward visitor impacts and described a stewardship framework being developed with the Coastal Commission while supporting arts and festivals.
Seven concise, neutral summaries link to the candidate’s complete answers. They are not ratings, endorsements or a substitute for watching each response in context.
Use of a $10 million grantWould revisit the adopted budget and accelerate safety and other priority projects, while considering open-space acquisition, planning updates and opportunities to leverage outside undergrounding funds.
Affordable housing locationsFavored distributing housing throughout town, including modest policy changes for residential use in the Arts District and other underused commercial locations.
Creek and wildlife corridorsSaid the City should continue its role through watercourse mapping, General Plan updates, habitat planning and coordination over channelized and natural portions of the creek.
Small-scale and rural developmentSupported formally defining rural character with public discussion and visual examples, pointing to low-scale cottages and artist housing as potentially compatible canyon forms.
Helping Community DevelopmentPointed to phased code, General Plan and Local Coastal Program updates as the way to reconcile contradictory rules and give staff clearer direction.
Residents and long-term stewardshipSaid adopted plans and long-range community documents should guide decisions, with officials explaining how they apply while working through gaps and competing interests.
Open-space fundingSupported City investment in acquisition and management of open space, including resources for Laguna Canyon Foundation and studies needed to protect and maintain the land.
Six concise, neutral topic summaries link to the exact moments in the complete recording. They are not ratings, endorsements or a substitute for watching each answer in context.
Measure E and term limitsSaid he supports term limits at the state and federal levels but does not see them as necessary locally, while recognizing that voters will decide Measure E.
Hospital and emergency careSaid Laguna Beach needs a hospital with a state-of-the-art emergency room and that he would evaluate every option, including another operator or location, while warning that eminent domain requires a complete operating plan.
St. Catherine’s propertySupported studying mixed use, coordinating with the nearby recreation facilities and retaining the property as a possible health-care location.
Capital projects and financial oversightDefended the Promenade as a future community gathering space, supported greater financial transparency and said he was open to broadening the audit committee and publishing City checks online.
Candidate priorityFocused on updating the General Plan and Local Coastal Program while retaining their underlying community values and improving clarity.
Closing prioritiesAsked for another term to continue General Plan and coastal-plan work, facilities and department improvements, and other modernization efforts he said the current Council has begun.
Nine arts discussion rounds, plus opening and closing statements. These are attributed paraphrases with video timestamps; the recording remains authoritative.
Read nine answers and both statements
Opening statement
Emphasizes civility, stewardship and the Council’s work. Defends the Community Land Trust financing model and says acquisitions preserved 75 artist spaces.
1. About the Arts AllianceDescribes involvement since the Alliance’s founding, past Seven Degrees membership and hosting its awards event. Supports continued collaboration among arts groups.
2. Arts involvement and recent eventsLists the Promenade opening, Playhouse, Alliance, summer festivals, KXFM events and surf museum opening as examples of his frequent arts attendance.
3. Parking in the arts districtSays parking is being considered as part of stewardship and regional transportation planning. Does not identify a specific structure site and says festival access is a priority.
4. Why the arts matterEmphasizes the people who create art and the ongoing work required to keep the arts community viable and healthy.
5. Residents and visitorsSupports cultural and heritage positioning, designated festival parking and convenient artwork pickup. Says several related policies are already being developed.
6. Artist housing and workspacesDefends the Community Land Trust he helped establish and says its acquisitions saved 75 artist spaces, including some living space. Calls the effort a beginning rather than only a proposal.
7. More use of the Festival groundsSupports musical events, immersive experiences and participation by local artists. Discusses a proposed roots festival exploring culture, environment and heritage.
8. New arts ideasDescribes more flexible public-space rules and centennial planning as a template for future creative events and collaboration.
9. Arts on the PromenadeWants the creative community to propose uses. Acknowledges the sculpture process could have been better and defends moving arts projects forward.
Closing statement
Emphasizes civility, stewardship and his arts-related record. Acknowledges mistakes can occur while projects advance and asks voters to judge his work.
Debate coverage updated October 16. Source-linked paraphrases; candidates answered different questions. Silence is not recorded as a policy position.
Attendance record
Submitted statement · read by moderator
In a submitted statement read by Ed Steinfeld, Orgill says he is ill and unable to attend. He cites civility, wildfire preparedness, water reliability, artist spaces, neighborhoods and modernizing City government as priorities.
Absent. At 3:16, moderator Ed Steinfeld said both Sue Kempf and Mark Orgill had contacted him to report illness. No live answers from this candidate are indexed.
Source-linked paraphrases from the published recording. Candidate claims are attributed; automatic captions may contain errors.
Read 12 forum answers and closing statement
1. Emergency care and a possible taxSupports a full-service, modern hospital. If a tax became a last option, would vote to place it on the ballot so residents could decide.
2. Hospital land useIs open to assisted care or senior housing with community involvement. Opposes developing the rear hillside portion of the property.
3. Catalina lots and park spaceSupports acquisition at a fair price and says he has supported the effort previously, while preserving closed-session confidentiality.
5. South Laguna’s share of City spendingWould use the General Plan and Local Coastal Program updates and an implementation strategy to address neighborhood needs and deliver projects.
6. Beach infrastructure and fundingDescribes a stewardship partnership with the Coastal Commission to address infrastructure, capacity and contemporary visitor pressures.
8. Public restroomsSuggests public restrooms at the hospital parking area and urges caution about the visitor activity a new restroom location attracts.
9. Community Recreation CenterDefends taking advantage of property opportunities and would remain open to alternatives while managing prior Council decisions.
10. Community Garden acquisitionSupports preserving the garden and would consider eminent domain or other approaches. Warns that the proposed zoning tactic could invite legal challenges.
11. Beach patrol and park rangersSupports the transition to rangers and added security, while seeking solutions to seasonal demand and staffing constraints.
12. Gelson’s and neighborhood grocery accessSupports community mobilization, demonstrations and media attention alongside City efforts, saying City Hall cannot produce change alone.
Closing statement
Emphasizes civility, bringing people together, City management and legal-department changes, and visitor stewardship. Says overtourism benefits no one and complex problems need continued management.
What Mark Orgill said at the Laguna Canyon Conservancy forum
Paraphrased answer summaries with direct video timestamps, plus the candidate’s closing statement. Candidate claims are attributed statements; the recordings remain authoritative.
Read 8 indexed answers and the closing statement
1. Impressions of Laguna CanyonSays the canyon sets the tone for Laguna’s identity, values its eclectic businesses, and identifies wildlife roadkill as his chief concern.
3. Acquiring additional open spaceDefends the city’s acquisition record and describes grants, mitigation parcels, gifts and land-trust options as continuing tools.
4. Tree preservation and Ocean AvenueDescribes mixed success saving trees in his projects and emphasizes disease, root damage, liability and continued work on urban-forest best practices.
5. Irvine–Laguna Wildlife CorridorSupports the project, seeks an update and funding partnerships, and cites his work on the LCAD–Laguna Canyon Foundation agreement around Big Bend.
6. Invasive plants and agency partnershipsSays he has already contacted the Caltrans district manager and walked the relevant canyon area with her to discuss the problem.
7. Fuel modification and native habitatSupports continued environmental consultation and additional risk-reduction zones; favors mechanical invasive removal and opposes glyphosate.
8. Enrolling city open space in the Nature ReserveSupports enrollment and says he is working with Hallie Jones on agreement details, including fuel modification; cautions that continued vigilance is needed beyond agreement terms.
9. Partnerships and dependable fundingEmphasizes keeping local environmental organizations strong, maintaining communication and using Sacramento relationships and the city’s lobbyist to find opportunities.
Regional conservation round: This response is not captured in the available automatic captions, so no summary or position is inferred here. This does not mean the candidate declined to answer.
Closing statement
Emphasizes public safety, the hospital, budget management and Vision 2030; presents bringing residents, businesses and environmental groups together as his leadership approach.
Selected question and answer highlights from the two-part recording. The links open the original video at the answer; these summaries do not cover every exchange.
Creative entrepreneur, builder and community leader; Laguna Beach City Councilmember since 2022 and mayor in 2026. His campaign cites work involving wildfire preparedness, water reliability, City operations, the arts and the Community Land Trust.
Community connection
Orgill has lived in Laguna Beach since 1984. His campaign describes collaborative work with residents, businesses and public agencies and a stewardship approach centered on Laguna’s culture, heritage and environment.
Read the fuller biographical summary
Mark Orgill has called Laguna Beach home since 1984. A creative entrepreneur, builder and community leader, he was elected to the City Council in 2022 and currently serves as mayor. His campaign says he has worked collaboratively to strengthen wildfire preparedness and water reliability, improve City operations, support Laguna’s arts community and help establish the Community Land Trust to preserve artist workspaces. He describes civility, transparency, fiscal responsibility and stewardship of Laguna’s culture, heritage and environment as guiding principles.
In Laguna Beach and beyond
Local business and community roles
Orgill is publicly identified as a Laguna Beach real-estate investor and developer and as an owner and creative force behind the seven-degrees event venue. His community experience also includes board service with the Laguna Beach Community Clinic and prior board service with Visit Laguna Beach.
The City biography identifies Orgill as the driver behind the event venue with his wife, Dora Wexell; a public business profile identifies Orgill as an owner.
Public profiles identify projects including the Laguna College of Art + Design residence hall and Sunset Cove Villas. The City biography also describes his work creating spaces for artists and the Laguna Arts District.
Only current or clearly labeled former roles supported by public sources are included. A Form 700 income source is not treated as a candidate-owned business without additional evidence. Submit a correction or verification.
The following is So Laguna’s concise summary of the candidate’s own ballot statement. It describes the candidate’s claims and priorities; it is not an endorsement or independent verification.
Orgill presents his campaign as continued stewardship of Laguna Beach’s coast, neighborhoods, arts, heritage and natural environment. He cites council work on wildfire preparedness, water reliability, public safety and government efficiency.
View the statement background and priority list
Background described in the statement
Orgill describes a collaborative council approach and connects culture, heritage and the environment as parts of a single stewardship strategy. He credits this approach with supporting the arts, protecting the environment and strengthening neighborhoods.
Priorities emphasized
Wildfire preparedness
Long-term water reliability
Public safety
Efficient and fiscally responsible government
Arts and cultural support
Protection of neighborhoods, heritage and the natural environment
Direct candidate response
Mark Orgill answers So Laguna’s introductory questions
Received August 19, 2026. The campaign supplied the answers below in response to the same introductory questionnaire sent to all nine candidates. The responses are published in full, with only formatting and typographic normalization; they are candidate statements, not an endorsement or independent verification by So Laguna.
Why are you running for Laguna Beach City Council?
Serving Laguna Beach has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am running for reelection because important work is underway, and I want to help carry it forward with collaborative leadership. We have an opportunity to plan for Laguna’s future while protecting what generations before us worked so hard to preserve. My commitment is to govern with civility, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and a stewardship mindset that considers the long-term consequences of today’s decisions.
What are your three highest priorities?
First, protect public safety by strengthening wildfire preparedness, evacuation planning, water reliability, and emergency response. Second, make City government more efficient, responsive, and fiscally responsible. Third, develop a stewardship platform centered on three interconnected pillars: culture, heritage, and environment and use it to guide coordinated updates to our General Plan, Local Coastal Program, and municipal codes. Together, these priorities will protect residents’ quality of life while preparing Laguna responsibly for the future.
What is one thing about Laguna Beach that City Hall must protect?
City Hall must protect Laguna’s distinctive sense of place. Our natural environment, artistic and cultural identity, historic character, unique neighborhoods, and walkable, small-town atmosphere are all deeply connected. They cannot be preserved through isolated decisions. Protecting them requires thoughtful planning, consistent standards, and a long-term commitment to stewardship. Laguna will continue to face change and development pressure, but both must be managed carefully so that progress strengthens the community residents love rather than diminishing it.
What is one thing about how the City operates that most needs to change?
The City must become less reactive and more focused on coordinated, long-range planning. Too often, important decisions are made project by project under plans and codes that have not kept pace with changing conditions. Clearer policies and updated standards will improve efficiency, consistency, and public understanding. Residents deserve a City government that plans ahead, communicates clearly, measures results, and uses public resources responsibly.
How should Laguna Beach balance residents’ quality of life, community and environmental character, local business, and tourism?
Responsible tourism must begin with protecting residents’ quality of life. That philosophy has already shaped my work on the Council. I helped restructure how tourism-generated revenue is allocated, directing approximately $500,000 annually toward City visitor-management needs so that more of the resources generated by tourism are invested directly in managing its impacts on our community. Visitors have been part of Laguna since its earliest days, supporting local businesses, arts institutions, and the creative community. However, tourism must be managed thoughtfully so that it strengthens Laguna without overwhelming its neighborhoods, public spaces, natural resources, or City services.
Issues and positions
Where Mark Orgill stands
A quick, source-linked summary of the candidate’s questionnaire responses, public statements and forum answers. Use the source chips to read the questionnaire or watch the answer at its exact timestamp. Tap an issue to open the summary.
Public safety and hospital access
Orgill says the council strengthened wildfire preparedness and maintained one of California’s safest communities. In his So Laguna questionnaire response, he prioritizes wildfire preparedness, evacuation planning, water reliability and emergency response. Neither response states a position on hospital access.
In his questionnaire response, Orgill calls for coordinated updates to the General Plan, Local Coastal Program and municipal codes, with clearer policies and standards to replace project-by-project reactions. He says change and development pressure should be managed to protect neighborhoods and Laguna’s sense of place.
At the Village Laguna forum, Orgill said the City had redirected funding toward visitor impacts and was developing a stewardship framework with the Coastal Commission while continuing support for arts and festivals.
Orgill says City government should be more efficient, responsive and fiscally responsible. His questionnaire calls for long-range planning, clearer communication, measurement of results and responsible use of public resources.
He emphasizes wildfire preparedness, water reliability and environmental protection. His questionnaire proposes a stewardship framework connecting culture, heritage and environment and calls for protecting Laguna’s natural setting and neighborhood character.
Orgill identifies arts, culture, heritage and neighborhood character as interconnected priorities. His campaign biography cites work supporting the Community Land Trust to preserve artist workspaces, while his questionnaire says tourism should support businesses and cultural institutions without overwhelming residents or public resources.
He emphasizes collaboration, civility and transparency. His questionnaire calls for coordinated long-range planning, clearer public communication, consistent standards and measurement of results.
Says parking is being considered as part of stewardship and regional transportation planning. Does not identify a specific structure site and says festival access is a priority.
Defends the Community Land Trust he helped establish and says its acquisitions saved 75 artist spaces, including some living space. Calls the effort a beginning rather than only a proposal.
These records are published by the Laguna Beach City Clerk. Campaign-finance totals below are summarized separately so amendments and reporting periods are not double counted.
The filing reports a Laguna Beach rental-property interest and reportable employment and income sources.
So Laguna summarizes these public filings to identify relevant business, employment and property interests. Reported ranges are not estimates of net worth or proof of a conflict, and residential addresses and private third-party names are omitted.
View reported business, property and investment details
Businesses and income
City of Laguna Beach — City Council salary reported at $10,001 to $100,000.
Fedreceiver, Inc./Jalmar Properties, Inc. — spouse’s receiver-administrator income reported over $100,000.
Another reportable income source is listed in the $1,001 to $10,000 range.
Real-property interests
One Laguna Beach real-property ownership/deed-of-trust interest reported over $1 million, with rental income of $10,001 to $100,000. Private rental-income source names are omitted here.
Submit a policy or public-service question. So Laguna moderates submissions for relevance and civility, and clearly labels candidate replies after verification.
How this works: Questions are reviewed before publication for relevance, civility, privacy and duplication. So Laguna may edit for length or clarity and will mark substantive edits. Published answers identify whether they came from the candidate, campaign or So Laguna editor.
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This live module displays only figures reviewed against official Laguna Beach campaign filings.
Campaign committee registrationMark Orgill for Laguna Council 2026 · FPPC ID 1494770
Identifies Owen Orgill as treasurer and Mark Orgill as principal officer. Secretary of State receipt: 2026-08-26; City receipt: October 12, 2026. These are administrative organization amendments, not new October 15 receipts or expenditures. Form 410 reports no contributions, spending, cash or debt.
Form 460 lines 5, 11, 16 and 19. Calendar-year totals through Sept. 19; includes $265.61 nonmonetary support. Debt is $1,957.72 in unpaid bills, not a loan.
Firefighters PAC contribution: Its Form 460 Schedule D reports a $500.00 direct monetary contribution to Mark Orgill, dated August 27, 2026. This is candidate-committee money, not independent spending. View the PAC filing, p. 13.
Outside spending
Independent expenditures
$36,936.39 in reviewed independent spending supporting Mark Orgill across the source-linked transactions below.
$1,990.86 supporting Mark Orgill
Laguna Beach Firefighters Association Political Action Committee reported spending for News ads on October 8 ($804.84) and a mailer on October 14 ($1186.02). · activity dates: October 8 and 14, 2026; filed October 15, 2026.
Laguna Beach Police Employees Association Political Action Committee reported spending for News ad on October 8 ($58.50), news ad on October 14 ($600.00), and mailer on October 14 ($970.38). · activity dates: October 8 and 14, 2026; filed October 15, 2026.
LAGUNA BEACH GOOD LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE SUPPORTING KEMPF, ROUNAGHI AND ORGILL FOR CITY COUNCIL 2026, SPONSORED BY REGENCY PROPERTIES LP AND AFFILIATED ENTITIES reported spending for mailers, robocalls and text messages · activity dates: October 13, 2026; filed October 14, 2026.
LAGUNA BEACH GOOD LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE SUPPORTING KEMPF, ROUNAGHI AND ORGILL FOR CITY COUNCIL 2026, SPONSORED BY REGENCY PROPERTIES LP AND AFFILIATED ENTITIES reported spending for consulting, a mailer, newspaper and digital ads, and a slate mailer · activity dates: October 2, 2026; filed October 3, 2026.
Funding behind the new independent spending: Laguna Beach Good Leadership Committee Supporting Kempf, Rounaghi and Orgill for City Council 2026, Sponsored by Regency Properties LP and Affiliated Entities (FPPC ID 1497439), reported receiving $100,000 from Regency Properties, L.P. on September 30. Its October 1 Form 497, Regency’s contributor-side October 1 Form 497 and page 2 of its October 3 Orgill Form 496 disclose the same contribution; it is counted once. The three October 3 Forms 496 report $61,465.39 in October 2 independent spending. Three October 14 Forms 496 add $38,484.61 spent October 13 on mailers, robocalls and text messages. The committee’s three reported cumulative amounts sum to $99,950: $33,316.68 supporting Kempf, $33,316.67 supporting Rounaghi and $33,316.65 supporting Orgill. Each cumulative figure includes the earlier spending and is not an additional transaction. The October 15 firefighters’ and police employees’ PAC reports add $10,859.21 across the same three candidates. Including these reports and Rounaghi’s separate $2,710 Ahmanson / Fieldstead slate mailer, all reviewed outside support totals $36,936.42 for Kempf, $39,646.40 for Rounaghi and $36,936.39 for Orgill. Correction October 16: the earlier summary incorrectly described the Good Leadership Committee’s spending as $100,000; its six reviewed reports total $99,950. The separate $100,000 contribution remains unchanged. This funding went to the outside committee, not to the candidates’ campaign accounts. These accelerated reports do not establish the committee’s current cash balance. Read the committee’s October 1 Form 497 and Regency’s matching Form 497.
This is not money received or spent by the candidate’s campaign. An independent expenditure is reported separately and is not added to the candidate-controlled totals above.
Campaign-finance figures are compiled from public filings submitted to the City of Laguna Beach. Filings can be amended and recent transactions may not yet appear in periodic reports. So Laguna omits residential street addresses and links summaries to the original record.
Public voting record
Mark Orgill voting record
381positions recordedAcross 41 meetings99.4%with majorityOf 158 yes/no positions with a recorded outcome30contested votesNon-unanimous recorded outcomes1dissentsPosition differed from outcome
Verification notice: These source-linked records have not all been individually checked by So Laguna. Confirm details through the linked official government meeting record. For closed sessions, only publicly reported actions and attributable votes are included; confidential discussion is not reconstructed.
Item 22Adoption of ordinance extending the urgency Design Review Efficiency Ordinance and adoption of required 10-day report, finding actions exempt from CEQA.
Adoption of resolution establishing objective design standards for single and two-family residential development and finding the action categorically exempt from CEQA, with addition to include Laguna Canyon Area annexation area specific plan on the map.
Motion to deny the appeal and direct staff to prepare a revised resolution with four more restrictive conditions of approval and revised public view protection section, with resolution to be returned for adoption on September 22nd.
Item 16Recognition of Matt Lawson as Emergency Operations Center (EOC) namesake honoree and adoption of resolution with direction to add previously approved recitals.
Motion to deny the appeal, sustain the Design Review Board approval with conditions to eliminate void areas, confirm frosted windows on south side per board condition, and maintain existing plantings on north side.
Item 13Downtown Specific Plan Phase Two direction to staff to pause EIR and refocus DSP update on Arts District housing and adaptive reuse with legislative advocacy efforts.
Motion to add recommendation six directing staff to come back with a framework of options and timelines for integrating and leveraging technology solutions to achieve parking and enforcement goals.
Item 17Public hearing tabled: Lot Line Adjustment 2026-0960 and Coastal Development Permit 2026-0961 (to be superseded by a parcel map; staff will re-notice)
Adoption of three actions: authorize mayor to execute revised funding commitment letter, authorize assistant city manager and city attorney to negotiate loan and regulatory documents, and find no further environmental review required.
Item 16Approve deferral of revenue measure to 2028 with establishment of citizen committee and continued exploration of multiple revenue options rather than focus solely on sales tax
Item 17Approve tentative parcel map 2026-0865 and coastal development permit 2026-0954 to merge four parcels at 340 St. Anne's Drive for affordable housing development
Continue appeal of design review approval, coastal development permit, and variance for detached ADU at 855 La Vista Drive; require hydrology study and applicant to relocate structure northerly not less than 5 feet with landscape screening
Item 11Continue award of contract for mobile parking payment system to IPS Group to July 21st for further negotiation on contract terms and parking management integration
Motion to continue the appeal item, require hydrology study, direct applicant to relocate ADU northerly not less than 5 feet, and return with robust landscape plan.
Item 23Adoption of Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget with amendments, including direction to the ad hoc budget committee to pursue identified policy items, and exclusion of recommendations 5 and 6 for later consideration.
Item 11Approval of a Use Restriction and Agreement for long-term creek management plan, with revised maps on pages 13 and 14 replacing original exhibits.
Item 18Approval of an Agreement with Dune Drifter for Caltrans tie-back improvements at Pacific Edge, with direction to city engineer and attorney to ensure adequate security provisions and automatic assignment to future hotel owners.
Approval of fiscal year budget with amendments to resolution, salary schedules, and capital improvements, excluding cultural arts recommendations 5 and 6.
Consent calendarApproval of consent calendar items with removal of item 15 and correction of scrivener's error on item 14 (referencing policy 5.1 instead of 4.1).
Denial of appeal of Design Review Board approval and adoption of resolution with condition to lower roof by one foot and revert tree landscaping to original plan.
Consent calendarApproval of consent calendar items with removal of item 15 and correction of scrivener's error on item 14 (referencing policy 5.1 instead of 4.1).
Denial of appeal of Design Review Board approval and adoption of resolution with condition to lower roof by one foot and revert tree landscaping to original plan.
Item 15Adoption of resolution overturning Board approval and denying project based on CEQA finding of historic resource, with redline modifications from City Attorney.
Item 15Adoption of resolution overturning Board approval and denying project based on CEQA finding of historic resource, with redline modifications from City Attorney.
Item 17Approval of tentative parcel map and coastal development permit to merge three adjacent parcels at 2500 Glenery Street, 2500 Palo Way, and 2500 Queda Way into one legal parcel for single-family residence.
Item 17Approval of tentative parcel map and coastal development permit to merge three adjacent parcels at 2500 Glenery Street, 2500 Palo Way, and 2500 Queda Way into one legal parcel for single-family residence.
Item 16Recommendation that the ad hoc committee (Whalen and Rounaghi) screen and recommend 9-13 applicants for the hospital task force from 28 applications received.
Item 16Recommendation that the ad hoc committee (Whalen and Rounaghi) screen and recommend 9-13 applicants for the hospital task force from 28 applications received.
Appeal of administrative decision approving hedge height claim requiring trimming of eugenia hedge to 10-foot maximum height with maintenance between 10-11 feet.
Appeal of administrative decision approving hedge height claim requiring trimming of eugenia hedge to 10-foot maximum height with maintenance between 10-11 feet.
Item 20Lot line adjustment and coastal development permit to merge two adjoining parcels at Laguna College of Art and Design (2825 and 2851 Laguna Canyon Road)
Item 20Lot line adjustment and coastal development permit to merge two adjoining parcels at Laguna College of Art and Design (2825 and 2851 Laguna Canyon Road)
Removal of carob tree at 264 Legion Street; authorization of Western redbud planting in Catalina roundabout and direction to identify alternative shade tree location through public process
Removal of carob tree at 264 Legion Street; authorization of Western redbud planting in Catalina roundabout and direction to identify alternative shade tree location through public process
Item 18Removal of torrey pine at Festival of the Arts and two ficus trees on Short Street; authorization of replacement plantings with species to be determined through public process
Item 18Removal of torrey pine at Festival of the Arts and two ficus trees on Short Street; authorization of replacement plantings with species to be determined through public process
Item 18Uphold removal of Carob tree at 264 Legion Street and authorize planting of Western redbud in Catalina roundabout with direction to identify alternate shade tree location
Item 18Uphold removal of Carob tree at 264 Legion Street and authorize planting of Western redbud in Catalina roundabout with direction to identify alternate shade tree location
Item 16Approval of Conditional Use Permit 25-1036 and Coastal Development Permit 25-2021 for hotel parking reduction via transportation demand management plan.
Item 14Approval of Hospital Action Plan with direction to form community advisory committee with timeline to be determined by ad hoc committee and city clerk.
Item 10Receive and file the ASM Affiliates historic property evaluations report and direct staff to implement recommended actions regarding historic register properties.
Consent calendarApproval of consent calendar items including various city contracts and appointments with noted amendment to item 6 and addition of Mark Orgill as alternate on item 8.
Council approved directing the Mission Hospital ad hoc committee to develop a work plan for addressing the proposed closure of acute care services and involving community input.
Council approved moving forward with a fully operational EOC at the CRC and directed staff to develop a buildout plan for City Hall and Fire Station 1.
Item 9Direction to Environmental Sustainability Committee regarding Orange County Power Authority review and feasibility study with work plan development.
Item 12Direction to staff to develop charter proposal incorporating parking enforcement, procurement, and penalty provisions with financial analysis and simplified focus.
Item 10Move forward with Emergency Operations Center at Community Recreation Center and direct staff to bring recommendations on City Hall improvements and Fire Station 1.
Approval of $8 million secured loan to Community Land Trust for purchase of two properties (2307 Laguna Canyon Road and Big Ben property) with artist housing and affordability covenants.
Approval of conditional use permit for historic preservation parking incentive (75% reduction) for combined coffee shop, retail, and tavern use with restricted hours.
Approval of first amendment to Laguna Playhouse lease with $500,000 one-time payment for 10 weeks annual reserved community use with specific terms for parking, ticketing, and concessions.
Denial of appeal of Design Review Board approval of house remodel, ADU, pool, and elevated deck with modifications: 3-foot deck setback increase, 5-foot pool-side screening, removal of window frosting requirement.
Item 12Adoption of resolutions declaring results of assessment district balloting and awarding construction contract for Fairview La Brea underground utility district (82% yes vote, 74 valid ballots from 90 parcels).
Item 11Award of construction contract to Suburb Engineering for promenade project ($5.5M), award of contract to NextGen for construction management ($340K), approval of contingency amounts and transfer of $4.4M from other CIP projects.
Item 7Continuation of public hearing on Monterey Street easement amendment regarding parking restriction removal, with staff directed to investigate alternative solutions for emergency access preservation.
Motion to continue the hearing on appeal A to February 24 and direct staff to have HRG respond to the GPA critique of its initial report, with both firms available at the hearing.
Appeal of Design Review Board denial of Design Review 24-1572 and Coastal Development Permit 24-1688 for modifications to a single-family dwelling at 607 Short Street.
Appeal of Design Review Board denial of Design Review 24-1572 and Coastal Development Permit 24-1688 for modifications to a single-family dwelling at 607 Short Street.
Item 24Artist Live-Work Units; amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement for Laguna Canyon Road properties and execution of Letter of Intent with Laguna Beach Community Land Trust.
Item 24Artist Live-Work Units; amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement for Laguna Canyon Road properties and execution of Letter of Intent with Laguna Beach Community Land Trust.
Public hearing for appeal of Community Development Director's designee's approval of Design Review 25-0891 for an elevated deck addition at 31421 Holly Drive.
Public hearing for appeal of Community Development Director's designee's approval of Design Review 25-0891 for an elevated deck addition at 31421 Holly Drive.
Adopted Mills Act Preservation Agreements for three historic resource properties at 501 Lombardy Lane, 503 Brooks Street, and 2646 Victoria Drive; authorized City Manager to sign contract agreements; directed Heritage Committee to research best practices.
Continued public hearing on appeal of Community Development Director's Designee approval for elevated deck addition at 31421 Holly Drive to December 9, 2025.
Item 13Introduced two ordinances adopting the 2025 California Building Standards Codes and Fire Code with local amendments; adopted Resolution #25.086 setting forth findings based on local conditions.
Motion that the Mayor and Councilmember Kempf work with the Arts Commission and come back to Council with a proposed process to engage the community in determining the city flag ahead of the 100th year anniversary.
Item 24City contribution, resolution of intention and engineer's report for proposed Underground Utility Assessment District 2021-3 (Fairview/La Brea).
Continue public hearing on appeal of Design Review Board's approval of Design Review 24-1151 and Coastal Development Permit 24-1152 at 31731 Seacove Drive.
Item 25Update on amendments to General Plan and Open Space and Conservation Element, and authorization for First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement for biological surveying services.
Item 8Approval of the City Council 2026 meeting schedule with direction for concerted effort to accommodate full attendance during any Special Meetings during the August-September break.
Appeal of Design Review Board approval of Design Review 24-1151, Coastal Development Permit 24-1152, and Variance 24-1153 for additions and remodel of single-family dwelling and ADU at 31731 Seacove Drive.
Item 12Award of task order for design of Downtown Action Plan Improvements (Ocean Avenue) and direction to staff regarding traffic analysis for one-way conversion.
Adopted Resolution #25.074 authorizing the withdrawal of the appeal of the Design Review Board's conditional approval of Design Review 24-2550 for landscaping at 276 Cajon Street and directing staff to refund $500 of the $2,000 appeal fee.
Item 10Authorized the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Laguna Canyon Foundation to donate the unused portion of the in-lieu fee paid by the Ranch at Laguna Beach consistent with Coastal Development Permit No. A-5-LGB-14-0034.
Item 20Authorized the City Manager to execute contract #25-71 with Natures Image, Inc. for Fuel Modification Services through December 31, 2028, and approved the addendum to the City's certified Fuel Modification Treatment Protocol.
Continued the appeal of the Community Development Director's designee's approval of Design Review 25-0891 for an elevated deck addition at 31421 Holly Drive to the September 23, 2025, City Council meeting.
Item 21Directed staff to report back to the City Council at the first meeting in November addressing liability concerns, CEQA analysis, lead agency legislation, and to host a town hall regarding Caltrans' conditional relinquishment offer for Laguna Canyon Road.
Item 8Adoption of resolution establishing a red flag fire safe parking restriction program in the Bluebird Canyon and Canyon Acres Drive neighborhoods.
Item 13City Council review of Planning Commission approval of Design Review 25-0697 to modify exterior paint colors for Forest Avenue Mall at 332-334 Forest Avenue.
City Council review of Planning Commission approval of Design Review 25-0779 and Coastal Development Permit 23-0151 to demolish existing residence and expand parking lot at 359 Third Street.
Item 18Direction to staff to further investigate site selection for a pump track, including Moulton Meadows Park, and coordinate with County and mountain bike association.
Consent calendarApproval of Consent Calendar items including minutes, warrants, payroll, claims, investment report, weed abatement resolution, and compensation study update.
Item 8Approval of Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Laguna Beach and Moulton Niguel Water District for collaboration on the OASIS Water Resource Center Project.
Denial of appeal and upholding of Community Development Director's approval of Coastal Development Permit 25-0036 for accessory dwelling unit at 1673 Louise Street.
First motion: Finding of abuse of discretion by Planning Commission regarding Design Review 25-0697 for Forest Avenue Mall exterior paint color modification.
Item 15Adoption of second amendment to City Manager employment agreement providing one-time merit-based exceptional performance payment and continued 457(b) contribution.
Item 18Approval of Conditional Use Permit 25-1046 and Coastal Development Permit 25-1047 for parking reduction and sidewalk café with outdoor seating for Truly Pizza restaurant at 320 North Coast Highway.
Continuation of appeal of Community Development Director's approval of Coastal Development Permit 25-0714 for 705-square-foot accessory dwelling unit at 31774 5th Avenue to a date uncertain.
Denial of appeal and upholding of Design Review 24-2721 for storage areas and carports at Hotel Joaquin with more restrictive conditions requiring garage doors to remain.
Adoption of Resolution #25.039 sustaining the Design Review Board's decision to approve Design Review 25-0583 for modifications and additions at 482 Aster Street.
Item 1Adoption of Resolution #25.040 designating the lower portion of Forest Avenue as a "Slow Street" and authorizing the City Manager to close the street to vehicular traffic.
Adoption of Resolution #25.041 denying appeals and sustaining the Planning Commission's approval of Design Review 25-0319 and Coastal Development Permits 25-0318 and 25-0587 for the pedestrian plaza and street closure at Lower Forest Avenue.
Adoption of Resolution #25.042 upholding the Planning Commission's approval of Temporary Use Permit 25-0650 and Coastal Development Permit 25-0652 to construct an outdoor dining parklet operated by Oto Sushi at 370 Glenneyre Street.
Adoption of Resolution #25.043 upholding the Planning Commission's approval of Design Review 25-0261 for Fire Station #4 at 31796 Coast Highway and finding no subsequent environmental review required.
Item 1Finding that the proposed action is statutorily exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act under Public Resources Code section 21080.25(b).
Item 10Adopted Playground Master Plan as a strategic guide for future planning and investment in City playgrounds and found the action exempt from CEQA.
Item 19Approved Laguna Beach Tourism Marketing District Plan with noted revisions, adopted resolution declaring results of majority protest proceedings and renewing the district, and approved Amendment No. 1 to agreement with Visit Laguna Beach.
Continued appeal hearing for coastal development permit for 810 square-foot second-story ADU at 1673 Louise Street to July 8, 2025, pending further staff evaluation and HCD discussion.
Item 12Established separate Investment Advisory and Audit Committees, adopted related resolutions, and appointed Kempf and Whalen to the Audit Committee.
Item 9Introduced ordinance adding Chapter 5.84 to LBMC regarding licensing scheme for short-term rental units and directed staff to delay enforcement until October 1, 2025.
Item 11Authorized City Attorney and staff to negotiate utility undergrounding agreements and conditionally offer financial contributions and legal protections.
Directed City Manager to cast ballots in favor for three City-owned parcels within the assessment district and authorized City Manager to sign and return ballots.
Item 16Adoption of Safer Streets Laguna Beach - Citywide Safety Action Plan and direction to staff to incorporate findings into future planning and grant applications.
Item 15Approval in concept of the Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Safety Report 2025 Update, with direction to staff to refine cost components and funding sources.
Consent calendarApproval of Consent Calendar items including proclamations, minutes, warrants, payroll, investment report, military equipment inventory, goat grazing contract, construction contract, and school district agreement.
Item 16Adoption of Safer Streets Laguna Beach - Citywide Safety Action Plan and direction to staff to incorporate findings into future planning and grant applications.
Item 15Approval in concept of the Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Safety Report 2025 Update, with direction to staff to refine cost components and funding sources.
Consent calendarApproval of Consent Calendar items including proclamations, minutes, warrants, payroll, investment report, military equipment inventory, goat grazing contract, construction contract, and school district agreement.
Item 24Adopted resolution modifying parking restrictions to establish three on-street public parking spaces along the 1200 block of Bluebird Canyon Drive.
Item 23Appointed Megan Garibaldi as City Attorney, approved employment agreement, and adopted resolutions on conditions of employment and updated salary schedule for city employees.
Item 8Authorized second amendment to Smart Parking Guidance System agreement with Frogparking, Inc., extended to April 2, 2026, and directed staff to release RFP for new system.
Item 21Directed staff to continue operating the Alternative Sleeping Location beyond June 30, 2025, update homeless needs assessment within 60 days, issue RFI for ASL operation, and appointed Mayor Rounaghi and Councilmember Kempf to ad hoc committee.
Item 20Introduced ordinance amending Chapter 14.76 on real property records, adopted resolution identifying content requirements for real property disclosure, and approved form of disclosure.
Item 15Introduced ordinance waiving first reading and adding Chapter 10.16 regulating e-bikes and other electric transportation devices, directed staff to return for second reading April 8, 2025.
Item 22Introduced Slow Streets Program ordinance for Chapter 11.70, directed staff to return for second reading April 8, 2025, and directed staff to draft resolution and apply for coastal development permit for closure of lower Forest Avenue.
Item 16Received and filed Community and Recreation Center Interim Use Plan update and directed staff to pursue permitting for art room and parking expansion.
Item 15Adopted resolution supporting further analysis of petition to extend no-take Laguna Beach State Marine Conservation Area's southern boundary to city's southern coastal boundary off Three Arch Bay.
Item 8Approved draft ordinance adding licensing scheme for short-term lodging units and directed staff to contact online rental facilitators and return revised ordinance for first reading in April 2025.
Item 10Approved proposed scope of services for retail consultant to support economic development, with revisions clarifying city purview and including performance-based payment approach.
Item 17Continued zoning ordinance amendment 24-2343 and local coastal program amendment 24-2344 regarding accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units to March 11, 2025.
Item 16Introduced by title only ordinance amending Title 25 (Zoning) and Local Coastal Program as modified by California Coastal Commission; directed staff to draft resolution and schedule adoption consideration for March 11, 2025.
Item 13Provided direction to City Manager on 20% contribution for Underground Utility Assessment District 2021-1 on West Street and option for city bond purchase.
Item 8Affirmation of direction from January 31, 2025 Strategic Planning session including community pool in Facilities Master Plan and Downtown Action Plan projects.
Item 7Approval of progress update on Fleet Electrification and Electric Vehicle Charging Implementation Plan with direction to release RFP and continue collaboration with SCE.
Item 18Authorized the City Manager to execute the third amendment with CR&R to the solid waste franchise agreement to memorialize changes in multi-family dwelling definitions and clean up items effective February 1, 2025.
Granted the appeal of the Design Review Board's approval of Design Review 23-0887 for additions and modifications at 1560 Sunset Ridge Drive, overturning the Board's decision and remanding the project due to inability to make variance findings.
Item 10Received and filed the Toovet Trail Feasibility Study update and directed staff to discontinue further efforts on the Toovet Trail connection due to property, regulatory, and environmental challenges.
Item 13Adoption of Resolution #25.003 approving Purchase and Sale Agreements for the City's purchase of real property at 2307 & 2535 Laguna Canyon Road and related authorizations.
Item 16Adoption of urgency ordinance #1709 to extend Urgency Ordinance No. 1707 regarding Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units for 22 months and 15 days.
Consent calendarApproval of Consent Calendar items including minutes, warrants, payroll, claims, investment report, MOU ratification, fire vehicle upfitting agreement, speed survey ordinance introduction, bid rejection, and police association side letter.
Item 15Direction to staff to re-introduce the first reading of the ordinance amending Chapter 25.17 regarding Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units with modifications.
Adoption of urgency ordinance to amend Zoning Code Chapter 25.17 regarding Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units to comply with state law changes.
Consent calendarApproval of consent calendar items including general warrants, payroll, investment report, claims, street light maintenance contract, trolley services amendment, age well senior services MOU, and laguna playhouse lease amendment.
Continuation of Mills Act contract approval to January 28, 2025, with direction to staff to work on feasibility of paint removal and wood restoration for the Coast Liquor building.
Continuation of public hearing on appeal of Design Review 23-0887 and related permits to January 28, 2025, with directive for parties to confirm agreement by January 3, 2025.
Direction to staff to work with ad hoc committee for updated costs including design costs and present updated plan during January 2025 annual planning session.
Introduction for first reading of ordinance to amend Zoning Code Chapter 25.17 regarding Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units to comply with state law changes.
Reconsideration and approval of amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement for property sale with revised terms including $100,000 price reduction and extension of closing date.
Remand of Design Review 23-1480 back to Planning Commission with City Council determination that the site is not a historic resource and direction to preserve character-defining brickwork.
Laguna Beach City Hall. So Laguna links candidate records to official City filings, minutes and election information.
Record and accountability
Public record and verification
As an incumbent, this profile will add representative roll-call votes with links to official minutes or video. A few selected votes should not be treated as a complete term record.
Is Mark Orgill running for Laguna Beach City Council in 2026?
Yes. Mark Orgill qualified for the November 3, 2026 ballot and appears in position 4 of nine candidates for three at-large City Council seats.
Is Mark Orgill an incumbent?
Mark Orgill is an incumbent Laguna Beach City Councilmember.
What businesses and community organizations is Mark Orgill connected to?
Orgill is publicly identified as a Laguna Beach real-estate investor and developer and as an owner and creative force behind the seven-degrees event venue. His community experience also includes board service with the Laguna Beach Community Clinic and prior board service with Visit Laguna Beach. Each listed role includes its supporting public source.
What economic interests did Mark Orgill disclose?
The filing reports a Laguna Beach rental-property interest and reportable employment and income sources. The complete filing is available through the City’s public eFile system.
How does So Laguna verify this profile?
So Laguna prioritizes official City records, campaign-controlled pages, public filings and dated primary-source statements. Unknown positions are labeled rather than inferred.
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